In the complexity of today’s technology, it can be tricky to identify what the optimum security camera solution is for your customer. The pace of development has continued unabated over the last 18 months and there are numerous types of cameras, sensors and brands to choose from. Of course, most security installers have their favourite brands as well as tried and tested technologies they like to work with.
That’s why we wanted to write a short overview outlining the benefits of the latest ‘Multi-Sensor Cameras’. So why consider this type of solution at all for your customer installations?
We explain the benefits in more detail further on in this article but, fundamentally, these cameras can offer savings in both time and money for you as well as your end customer, immediately and in the longer term.
And they allow you to see round corners…..
Many of our articles over the last year have focused on how our security installers can maximise profitability, reduce operating costs and create additional revenue streams. And Multi-Sensor Cameras are no exception to this.
Below we take a look at what these cameras are and why they make a fantastic addition to your existing portfolio. You can also watch a short video, produced by Norbain for Hanwha Techwin, which give a clear, simple explanation of the types and benefits of multi-sensor cameras.
Types of Multi-Sensor Cameras
Sometimes called multi-directional cameras, they provide the capabilities of multiple camera lenses in one casing or housing. With only a single IP connection, your customer only needs to purchase one VMS licence.
Technological advancements, along with more powerful processing chips, mean that they can now be used as if they were four separate cameras, where previously there was a trade off because of the additional costs involved. This also means that the individual sensors can be flexibly arranged within the housing for full 360° coverage.
There are several options to choose from, designed to suit a variety of specific video surveillance challenges:
· 2CH Multi-Directional Cameras: Designed to capture high-definition images of adjacent areas, for example on the corner of a building looking down both walls or in a stairwell. They suit any L-shaped or 2 angled area that requires coverage, as well as a corridor looking both ways.
· 3CH Multi–Directional Cameras: The addition of the third camera or sensor will allow you to monitor any blind spot between the other two cameras or sensors.
· 4CH Multi-Directional Cameras: Having four cameras or sensors within the one housing will allow you to customise the angles and zoom settings for each sensor and cover a complete 360° view, removing any blind spots. Certain 4CH cameras offer further clever options too, designed to provide a cost-effective solution for detecting and tracking objects over wide areas:
· Panoramic Camera: The images captured can be brought together to produce one panoramic image covering up to 220° These are very useful in situations where security and safety are paramount, such as in a busy town centre, stadium or car park. They provide superior image quality at a distance, so are ideal for capturing incidents far away.
· PTZ/PTRZ functionality: You can add an additional PTZ or PTRZ camera, allowing you to zoom in and track a moving object or respond to detected activity by any of the other four sensors. The PTZ can be remotely adjusted to changing environments, reducing on-site set up time. Some manufacturers offer an integral PTZ camera, giving you five separate sensors in the one housing. This can be manually operated in real-time by the user or programmed using pre-defined parameters within the associated video analytics software.
· Remote Head Camera Module: Protects against fraud and theft in retail or at ATMs.
So what about traditional Fisheye Cameras?
In many settings, a Fisheye Camera has traditionally been installed to monitor a large area and these are often very efficient and cost-effective. In an environment where aesthetics are important, such as retail, they offer a compact option and are low maintenance. In an office setting they are also ideal and are well suited to straightforward tasks such as monitoring an entrance.
However, anywhere that requires multiple different settings to be supervised at the same time warrants the consideration of a Multi-Sensor Camera option. This goes for large open spaces too because a fisheye camera only gives you the view from above, with less detail, and they are not as effective outdoors as finding a suitable mounting point can be challenging!
With a multi-sensor camera, you can customise the surveillance settings for each sensor and, as a result, successfully monitor the required area(s). For example, whilst one camera could be set to zoom in on a door, the other two cameras can be programmed to take a wide-angle view in opposite directions and a fourth camera to cover any subsequent blind spot.
Video Surveillance Benefits
Essentially, by installing a multi-sensor camera solution, you avoid incurring the higher capital, installation and maintenance costs of installing two to five separate cameras whilst achieving the same level of functionality and coverage:
1.All the capabilities of two, three, four or even five camera sensors in a single housing unit
2. Noteworthy cost benefits for both installer and end customer
3. One VMS licence cost (for 2-4 sensor options) – because it requires only a single IP connection (with the additional PTZ this would be 2 connections)
4. Significantly reduced installation time
5. Reduced cable, conduit and mounting hardware requirements
6. Fewer network connections means fewer switches are required
7. Many solutions use one chip for multiple sensors, driving down component costs as well as energy consumption needed to power them
8. Decreased ongoing maintenance costs (less leads, housing, etc)
9. Remote re-focus of lenses, reducing time required on-site further
10. Provides high detail and minimal distortion of images/video captured – because the multiple sensors combine coverage with high image quality and high pixel density
11. Aesthetically pleasing and more compact – one camera housing (rather than multiple units) covering an area so they can be integrated into most environments easily
12. Offer a highly cost-effective solution for detecting and tracking objects over wide areas
13. Real-time monitoring – making them suitable for multiple applications (see examples below)
14. Advanced Analytics – both installer and end-user can benefit from better management information
Don’t forget storage implications
There is one key consideration that must be factored in with Multi-Sensor Cameras – that of storage allocation. The end customer and installer must consider that there will be two to five streams of data requiring storage from the one camera housing, rather than one stream.
Many multi-sensor cameras come pre-installed with technologies to reduce the overall bandwidth storage space required, but it is important to understand what your solution needs at the back end.
That aside, the multi-directional camera options available today are ideal for a huge variety of environments including:
· Manufacturing plants
· Stadiums
· Carparks
· Distribution Centres/Warehouses
· Town/Shopping Centres
· Universities, hospitals, schools and prisons
· Outdoor attractions such as zoos and theme parks
By including these in your portfolio of solutions, you the installer has an opportunity to rationalise your own cost base and take advantage of potential additional revenue streams. Both with existing customers and as an avenue to generate new business.
You’ll be offering your end customer high quality equipment at a cost-effective price, giving them the potential to invest in superior cameras that enhance their safety and security.
The Norbain Advantage
Norbain partners with some of the market leaders within the security industry to provide a range of Multi-Sensor Camera solutions.
We can advise you and your end customer on current technology options available in the marketplace and which solution would be best suited to your needs.
We also understand that every business is unique, and some solutions can’t be delivered in a box. That’s why we have Solutions Specialists to provide you with ongoing support, help define project roadmaps and work with you to optimise technology investments.
Get in touch with us to discuss your requirements.
Watch our Pocket Size Buzz video on Multi-Sensor Cameras